How to File Comments with the FCC

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is interested in any experiences, knowledge, or insights that outside parties may have to shed light on issues and questions raised in the rulemaking process. The public and industry have the opportunity to comment upon Petitions for Rulemaking, Notices of Inquiry, Notices of Proposed Rulemaking, and Further Notices of Proposed Rulemaking. They also have the opportunity to file reply comments on the comments filed by other interested parties.

It is a common misconception that one must be a lawyer to be able to file comments with the FCC, but all that is necessary is an interest in an issue and the ability to read and follow directions.

Prior to drafting comments, it is crucial to read and understand fully the item you wish to comment on. Usually, the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, Notice of Inquiry, or other Rulemaking item will specify and invite comment upon the issues that the Commission is interested in studying further. Examination of the issues and relevant documents is the most important part of the comment process. Comments may take any form, but below are some guidelines to assist you in writing them.

Format
Docket or Rulemaking Number
Content
Support
Length
Comment Due Dates
Filing
Reply Comments
Copies of FCC Documents
Tracking your Comments
Further Assistance

Format

You may submit comments to the FCC in paper or as an electronic file via the Internet. Specific format guidelines for filing comments can be found in:

• How to File Comments with the Federal Communications Commission

• Guidelines for Filing Paper Comments

• Guidelines for Filing Electronic Comments

For additional information, you may also wish to refer to:

• The FCC Rulemaking Process

• Terms and Acronyms used in the FCC Rulemaking Process

• A Glossary of Telecomunication Terms

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Docket or Rulemaking Number

Whether you are filing your comment in paper or electronic format, it is critical to include the Docket Number or Rulemaking Number of the item at hand in your comments. This number can be found on the front page of the Commission document or public notice. This number is important because it ensures that your comments will be associated with the correct FCC proceeding.

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Content

Your comments should state who you are and what your specific interest is. You do not need to represent yourself in an official capacity. You may, for example, express your opinion as a concerned consumer, concerned parent, etc. and sign your name. State your position and the facts directly, as thoroughly but as briefly as possible. Explain your position as it relates to your experience and be explicit. Make clear if the details of a proposed rule or only one of several provisions of the rule are objectionable. If the rule would be acceptable with certain safeguards, explain them and why they are necessary.

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Support

Statements of agreement or dissent in comments should be supported to the best extent possible by factual (studies, statistics, etc.), logical, and/or legal information. Support should illustrate why your position is in the public interest. The more support made, the more persuasive the comments will be.

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Length

Comments may be any length, although it is preferred that they be succinct and direct. If comments are longer than 10 pages, a summary sheet is required.

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Comment Due Dates

Your comments should be submitted well within the time frame designated on the original document or public notice. Paper comments must be filed by 7:00PM ET on the deadline date and electronic comments must be filed by 12:00AM Midnight ET. The deadline date is almost always included on the first page of a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking or Notice of Inquiry.

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Filing

You may submit comments to the FCC in paper or as an electronic file via the Internet.

Mail Your Comments

The address to mail your comments to is:

Ms. Marlene Dortch, Secretary
Federal Communications Commission
Office of the Secretary
445 12th Street, SW
Room TW-B204
Washington, DC 20554

Hand-deliver Your Comments

Hand-delivered comments are accepted Monday through Friday, except legal holidays, during the hours of 8:00AM to 7:00PM ET. The address to hand-deliver your comments is:

Ms. Marlene Dortch, Secretary
Federal Communications Commission
Office of the Secretary
445 12th Street SW
Designated Counter in the 12th Street Lobby (TW-A325)

E-Mail Your Comments

E-mail your comments by following the E-mailing Filing Procedures. For assistance in sending your comments by e-mail call (202) 418-0193, Monday through Friday, 8:30AM - 4: 30PM ET. Any calls that are received after hours or on weekends/holidays will be answered promptly on the following business day.

The Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS) is designed to give the public access to FCC rulemakings and docketed proceedings by accepting comments via the Internet. For assistance in using ECFS, please send an e-mail to ecfshelp@fcc.gov or call (202) 418-0193. The ECFS Help Line is available live, Monday through Friday, 8:30AM - 4:30PM ET. Any calls that are received after hours or on weekends/holidays will be answered promptly on the following business day.

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Reply Comments

As the name implies, reply comments are used to respond to comments filed by other parties. You may file reply comments even if you did not submit comments initially. The Electronic Comment Filing System allows you to view other comments that have been filed including comments that have been mailed or e-mailed to the FCC.

When drafting reply comments, use the same guidelines expressed above regarding content and be careful not to raise additional or irrelevant issues.

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Copies of FCC Documents

All official documents released by the FCC since March 1996 are posted on the Commission’s Web Site. To find a particular document, you can use the FCC Electronic Document Management System (EDOCS) to search the EDOCS database for documents posted on the Internet.

The Electronic Comment Filing System allows you to view other comments that have been filed in FCC Docket and Rulemaking proceedings.

Copies of FCC documents are also available for a fee from the FCC's duplicating contractor, International Transcription Service, Inc. (202) 857-3805, or through other distribution services. Parties interested in utilizing the private distribution services should contact them directly concerning their rates and services.

You may also view documents and comments at the FCC Reference Room located at 445 12^th Street, Room CY-A257, in Washington, DC from 9:00AM to 4:30PM ET, Monday through Friday. The phone number for the FCC Reference Room is (202) 418-0270.

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Tracking your Comments

After you have properly filed your comments with the FCC, they will be part of the official Commission record. To track the progress of proceedings in which you have filed comments, you may:

• Request an Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS) Proceeding History Report,

• Check the Daily Digest or Federal Register for releases and notices, or

• Use the FCC Electronic Document Management System (EDOCS) to search the database of EDOCS entries for FCC documents posted since March 1996.

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Further Assistance

For questions concerning these guidelines for filing comments to the FCC, you may contact the Office of the Secretary at (202) 418-0300, TTY (202) 418-2960.

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Last reviewed/updated on 3/10/2003.